GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Alfa QV models debut

Alfa Romeo will lift the lid on its new Giulietta QV and MiTo QV models in Geneva for the Swiss motor show, opening the first week of March.

QV, which is Alfa's performance branding, is an abbreviation of Quadrifoglio Verde – Italian for green (four-leaf) clover. Variants wearing the historic badge are a cut above the mainstream Alfa models on which they're based.

For the new model year, the Giulietta QV will gain the same all-aluminium, turbocharged petrol engine that also powers the 4C sports car, which has just made it to Australia. Like the previous Giulietta QV, the engine of the update model displaces 1.75 litres, but produces 177kW and 340Nm. The older car was rated at 173kW and 300Nm (with torque of up to 340Nm available in 'Dynamic'mode). While the older model made do with a six-speed manual transmission, the new QV drives through a six-speed TCT (Twin Clutch Transmission).

The Euro 6-compliant engine features direct injection and variable valve timing for both camshafts. Alfa Romeo claims that the new model can polish off the 0-100km/h time in 6.6 seconds – an improvement of 0.2 seconds over the current car's acceleration.

Door mirrors, front grille, door handles and fog light bezels are all finished in a gloss anthracite colour, complemented by a new design of alloy wheel in burnished anthracite. Other identifying features are larger exhausts, side skirts, rear spoiler and red Brembo (four-piston) brake callipers. QV badges are located on the front quarter panels.

Leather and Alcantara seats, a redesigned steering wheel and new instruments set the QV apart from other Giulietta models. The same combination of leather with white/green stitching is carried over to the gear lever boot and handbrake lever; and the Giulietta QV also features aluminium sports pedals, black headlining and special floor mats.

MiTo gains a 170hp (127kW) version of the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo-petrol engine, bolted to a standard TCT and developing 230Nm as a general rule, but up to 250Nm in Sport mode. Acceleration to 100km/h takes 7.3 seconds, the manufacturer claims.

As for the Giulietta QV, the tweaked MiTo comes with a burnished finish for exterior detailing, twin chrome exhaust pipes, rear spoiler, restyled rear bumper, 17-inch alloy wheels and red Brembo brake callipers. As for the Giulietta QV, the MiTo QV has the Quadrifoglio Verde badges fixed to the front quarter panels.

A 'Competizione' dashboard finished in a 'carbon-look' material and the combination of new instruments and contrasting stitching in contrasting white and green distinguish the MiTo QV from other MiTo models.

Both MiTo and Giulietta QV variants can be ordered in a 'Launch Edition' colour, Matte Magnesio Grey. Additionally, a Launch Edition Giulietta QV will be offered in a choice of Alfa Red or Competizione Red. The Launch Edition Giulietta QV will be built in a batch of 500, with carbon spoilers, front and rear sports air dams/side skirts, and 18-inch alloys in a five-spoke design with a burnished anthracite finish.

QV models of the Giulietta and MiTo will reach Australia later this year.